I'll always have a strong 80's-90's-Now pop playlist in action, but the music I choose for myself is becoming increasingly indie, prog rock, and electronica. I have a strong fondness for instrumental music and positively love predominant string sounds--particularly the cello.

Wow, Xine. You and I have a very similar musical tastes! I think the only band/singer you listed that I don't have at least one album of was The Smiths...and all the rest are among my favorites!

I was not aware that The Arcade Fire has a new album out! I adore them...I must listen to one of their albums at least once or twice a week and was hoping they'd release a new one soon. That little bit of news has totally made my month.

Have you checked out Róisín Murphy's debut album Ruby Blue? It's a bit eccentric and has some nice quirkiness, but it's wonderfully cohesive (yet fresh) album--quickly becoming one of my faves.

Mary- I will have to definitely check out that album. I'm always looking for something new to listen to, but I feel like it's such an effort to look for something, unless someone hits you over the head with a cd or something.

and definitely check out the new Arcade Fire- very, very, very good. Apparently one of the tracks is about Jessica Simpson's father. This is what my friend told me. It kind of makes sense- in that creep Joe Simpson way he is. My friends are going to go see them in a couple of weeks- lucky! I always hear about them playing a show, and it's already sold out by the time I'm done thinking about the idea it seems.

I should also add Broken Social Scene to my list, as well as my guilty pleasure for J-Tim and Beyonce and other kind of poppy hip hop (for work out and dancing purposes only... )